SA government drops speed limit for boats on Port River to stop dolphin deaths

Hendrick Gout

Thursday, 28 March 2019 4:18 pm

State government bows to public pressure over dolphin deaths

Far from the 'safe' sanctuary it promises to be, the state government has bowed to public pressure after record dolphin deaths in the Port River.

The South Australian government has finally bowed to public pressure, dropping speed limits for boats in the hopes of decreasing preventable dolphin deaths in Adelaide's Port River.

The Adelaide dolphin sanctuary runs from Gulf St Vincent to Port River and is home to a unique – and threatened – pod of bottle-nosed dolphins.

The move follows a long-running campaign by conservationists after the deaths of four newborn calves last year.

"The Marshall government recognised that there was a lot of community concern around the welfare of our Port River dolphins," said Minister for Transport, Infrastructure and Local Government Stephan Knoll.

"The speed limit changes we are enforcing should better protect our Port River Dolphins and improve safety for other watercraft users."